Employees of a restaurant in Durbanville in the Western Cape were in for a great surprise last week after a regular customer left a big tip for the entire staff of the eatery to split among themselves.
The incident has created a stir on the internet after it was shared on the Facebook page of the restaurant.
“An appreciation post to one of our Simply Asia customer’s! Our Durbanville store was in for a big surprise and treat when one of our loyal customers left a R500 tip for each staff member on duty.
“A total of R6000,00. We are grateful for the generous contribution made to the store and staff during these difficult times,” the restaurant team wrote on Facebook.
The post was accompanied by a photo of the receipt that the customer left, showing R453 of food purchased and the handwritten R6 000 tip.
According to Simply Asia’s group general manager, Enzo Cocca, the family are regular patrons at the restaurant and asked their waitress for recommendations for meals.
They ordered two six-piece combo platters, fried rice roasted chilli with ground cashews, roasted chilli paste and cashew nut noodles, tom yum soup, brinjals stir-fry and a Coke.
The family consisted of the two parents and two children.
Cocca said the company is extremely appreciative and grateful for the family’s kind gesture.
“This has already motivated our staff to work harder and stay positive, especially in these tough, troubling times,” Cocca said.
He said the only request the customer had was to have the tip evenly distributed.
Thabi, who is the restaurant manager, told IOL Lifestyle that the customer left a R6 000 tip and wanted to give each person on duty that day R500 each.
The waitress who served the customer, Violet, said she had not expected such a big tip.
The big tip came at a time when the restaurant industry has been crushed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the start of the pandemic, many restaurants have permanently closed with many more on the brink of shutting.
The wholesome post has garnered several reactions and strengthening comments. People lauded the thoughtful gesture by the anonymous customer.
Adeline Deysel commented: “Awesome! I paid for my law studies with tips.”
“May God bless that customer that he will go from strength to strength,” wrote Welma Appels.
Atheema Daniels said was a very nice gesture that restored her hope in humanity. She praised the customer for sharing at this trying time.